Banyana overlooked despite being the best performing national team

South Africans never cease to amaze; we tend to shower some people with accolades while ignoring obvious excellence.

I am saying these because we have a successful national team in Banyana Banyana, who have just qualified for the CAF Women Nations Cup to be held in Ghana in November.

The team is coached by former captain Desire Ellis, who guided them to the CAF qualification with a 6-0 thumping of Lesotho on Sunday.

The country’s women’s football team has been performing well and producing stars such as Portia Modise, Noko Matlou and a new crop playing for clubs abroad.

It can be argued that the women footballers have always risen to the challenge irrespective of the unequal environment they find themselves in.

However, looking at the support and sponsorship levels compared to their male counterparts in Bafana Bafana, who struggle to win the Cosafa Cup, Banyana are neglected despite their record being impressive.

Is it because they are women?

In our country we preach equality but the opposite is practised. I can only pray that the elevation of Ria Ledwaba as deputy president of the South African Football Association will bring positive developments to women football. Yes, they deserve it. Lesego Raymond Shabangu Soshanguve